Beginning of the End

Korah’s Method: Praise the People

Korah and his associates appealed for the support of the congregation. They declared that it was a mistake to say that it was the complaining of the people that had brought God’s anger on them. They said that the congregation were not at fault, since they desired nothing more than their rights, but that Moses was an unfair and unreasonable ruler—he had found fault with the people as sinners when they were a holy people. BOE 195.3

Those who listened to Korah thought they clearly saw that their troubles might have been prevented if Moses had done things differently. Their exclusion from Canaan was a result of poor management by Moses and Aaron. If Korah were their leader, and he encouraged them by dwelling on their good deeds instead of pointing out their sins, they would have a very successful journey, and instead of wandering in the wilderness they would proceed directly to the Promised Land. BOE 195.4

Korah’s success with the people increased his confidence. He claimed that God had authorized him to make a change in the government before it was too late. BOE 195.5